San Antonio College

Department

of

Journalism-Photography

Degree program learning

outcomes and measures

for journalism

San Antonio College

Degree Program Learning Outcomes & Measures

Date: Jan. 5, 2006

Division: College of Arts & Science Dean: William Richardson

Department/Discipline: Journalism -Photography

Chair/Director: Chester F. Hunt

--- Loftin Student Center Room 204

1300 San Pedro Ave., San Antonio, TX 78212-4299

Telephone: (210) 733-2870 -- Fax: (210) 733-2868 -- Email: cfhunt@accd.edu
I. Degree: Associate in Arts in Journalism

II. Expected Program Learning Outcomes:

Students who successfully complete the journalism major and/or transfer to a four-year college or university or take journalism or photography courses in support of other college programs will be able to:

• Perform in media work as a reporter, editor, designer or photojournalist

• Demonstrate marketable skills in reporting, editing, designing and photographing

• Effectively communicate and interact with peers and supervisors in a professional work setting either in media work or a photography business

• Demonstrate a knowledge of current trends and future possibilities in the field

• Demonstrate a knowledge of cultural diversity in a global society

• Participate in meaningful dialogues and conversations as educated people

III. Measures of Program Learning Outcomes:

A. To ensure that our program/unit reaches these goals, our faculty members pursue the following outcomes:

Develop content to support claims in expository, persuasive and critical writing

Arrange content in appropriate patterns to develop a well-rounded media experience

Show understanding of the major periods of media history

Show understanding of media ethics and media law, including open meetings and records

Offer speaker programs and visits by professionals to encourage professionalism

Offer courses to develop critical thinking skills

Provide information for career decisions

B. To achieve these program/unit outcomes, faculty members employ the following strategies:

Student Records (GPA)

Student Retention (completing sequential courses)

Student Publications Experience

Comprehensive Final Examination

Course Evaluations

Written Critiques

Shadowing Experiences

Portfolios

Individual and group awards from contests

IV. List of courses in support of degree programs:

COMM 1307, Introduction to Mass Communications

COMM 2311, News Gathering and Writing 1

COMM 2315, News Gathering and Writing 2

COMM 2309, News Editing and Copy Reading 1

COMM 2310, News Editing and Copy Reading 2

COMM 1316, News Photography 1

COMM 1317, News Photography 2

COMM 1318, Photography 1

COMM 2324, Practicum in Electronic Media (Digital)

COMM 2325, Practicum in Electronic Media (Web)

COMM 2327, Principles of Advertising

COMM 2330, Introduction to Public Relations

V. Department Faculty and Staff

Chair: Chester F. “Chet” Hunt

Full-Time

Irene Abrego, Instructor

Chester F. Hunt, Assistant Professor

Yuk-Kwong Edmund Lo, Instructor

James McBride, Professor

Marianne Odom, Instructor

Frederick J. Whitecotton, Assistant Professor

Part-Time

Ben Gremillion, Lecturer

Cynthia Sims, Lecturer

Gerald W. Townsend, Assistant Professor

W. Scott Vallance, Lecturer

APPROVED:
(SIGNATURE OF DEAN)

DATE:

Five-Year Review Assessments and academic-related recommendations were addressed in this document by filling a full-time position, and faculty have addressed the problem of decreasing enrollment by sponsoring two high school conferences each year. We have begun the process to reallocate or remodel space in the department to allow for larger classes and office space for advisers, and we have tried to improve communication with counselors to encourage majors with problems with basic skills to enroll in developmental courses.